Archive: 31 December 2005
56 articles found
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/20/image
JP/20/image Recreating culture: A spectrum of spectacles Throughout the year, Indonesia's diversity -- whether seen in its ethnic cultures or in its cultural forms -- has found the spotlight on a variety of stages. At the same time, the country's audiences have been treated to performers and groups from abroad, resulting in a true spirit of cultural exchange.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/18/local
JP/18/local Local designs struggle against massive attack Jakarta's socialites still prefer Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga to creations by local fashion designers. Jakarta Post contributor Syahmedi Dean looks at the hits and misses of 2005 and finds that a bit of competition can be a good thing. In a matter of days, we will say goodbye to 2005 and get ready for the New Year -- with all its new collections, new styles and new ideas.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/y/intro
JP/y/intro ...main features of the year to come. On the flip-side, plasma TVs and entertainment centers have risen to dominate the local lifestyle market on the "home" front, indicating a continuing solid trend in consumerism, even with the fuel hike. In fashion, this trend has fixed upon imported couture and accessories, leaving local designers scrambling to maintain a foothold with no national support.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/14/book
JP/14/book On literature and national calamity Riris K. Toha-Sarumpaet Contributor/Jakarta At the turn of the year, amidst the blow dealt by expectations in life and the reality of literary developments in Indonesia, what absolutely needs to be emphasized the most? We agree that literature is not created in a vacuum and that literature marks and, in its unique capacity, carries life itself.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/18/top
JP/18/top Indonesia's top five fashion designers An increasing number of new designers have emerged in Indonesia. Five of them have enjoyed considerable media coverage this year. Syahmedi Dean Contributor/Jakarta Despite the rapid development of international fashion in Indonesia throughout 2005, five Indonesian designers have successfully displayed consistency and continuity in their creations.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
[b]
Books on radical Islam reflect diversity Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The size of the book store at the Paramadina Foundation office in Pondok Indah Plaza III, South Jakarta, is deceptive. The four-by-four square meter store looks too small to accommodate the diverse ideas of the many Muslim intellectuals shelved there, including the late Nurcholish Madjid -- the co-founder of the foundation. The latest book launched by the foundation on Dec.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
[b]
Books on radical Islam reflect diversity Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The size of the book store at the Paramadina Foundation office in Pondok Indah Plaza III, South Jakarta, is deceptive. The four-by-four square meter store looks too small to accommodate the diverse ideas of the many Muslim intellectuals shelved there, including the late Nurcholish Madjid -- the co-founder of the foundation. The latest book launched by the foundation on Dec.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/18/top
JP/18/top Indonesia's top five fashion designers An increasing number of new designers have emerged in Indonesia. Five of them have enjoyed considerable media coverage this year. Syahmedi Dean Contributor/Jakarta Despite the rapid development of international fashion in Indonesia throughout 2005, five Indonesian designers have successfully displayed consistency and continuity in their creations.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/18/local
JP/18/local Local designs struggle against massive attack Jakarta's socialites still prefer Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga to creations by local fashion designers. Jakarta Post contributor Syahmedi Dean looks at the hits and misses of 2005 and finds that a bit of competition can be a good thing. In a matter of days, we will say goodbye to 2005 and get ready for the New Year -- with all its new collections, new styles and new ideas.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/20/image
JP/20/image Recreating culture: A spectrum of spectacles Throughout the year, Indonesia's diversity -- whether seen in its ethnic cultures or in its cultural forms -- has found the spotlight on a variety of stages. At the same time, the country's audiences have been treated to performers and groups from abroad, resulting in a true spirit of cultural exchange.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/18/top
JP/18/top Indonesia's top five fashion designers An increasing number of new designers have emerged in Indonesia. Five of them have enjoyed considerable media coverage this year. Syahmedi Dean Contributor/Jakarta Despite the rapid development of international fashion in Indonesia throughout 2005, five Indonesian designers have successfully displayed consistency and continuity in their creations.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/19/compo
JP/19/compo Home theater compo as good as the discrete systems Agus Setiadi Contributor/Jakarta About a decade ago, when audio performance was still dominated by simple stereo systems, people connected two speakers to their VCD players to create a "cinema-like" effect. While the speakers produced a powerful sound, they were still not enough to produce an experience close the one people listened to while watching movies in the theater.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/19/compo
JP/19/compo Home theater compo as good as the discrete systems Agus Setiadi Contributor/Jakarta About a decade ago, when audio performance was still dominated by simple stereo systems, people connected two speakers to their VCD players to create a "cinema-like" effect. While the speakers produced a powerful sound, they were still not enough to produce an experience close the one people listened to while watching movies in the theater.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/14/book
JP/14/book On literature and national calamity Riris K. Toha-Sarumpaet Contributor/Jakarta At the turn of the year, amidst the blow dealt by expectations in life and the reality of literary developments in Indonesia, what absolutely needs to be emphasized the most? We agree that literature is not created in a vacuum and that literature marks and, in its unique capacity, carries life itself.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Patching up decentralization to boost the service delivery
Patching up decentralization to boost the service delivery Riyadi Suparno The Jakarta Post/Jakarta There were many positive changes to local democracy in 2005, especially the direct elections of regional heads, but too often this did not translate into the improved delivery of services. Therefore, the challenge for 2006 will be to help our burgeoning local democracy improve the delivery of services, especially to the poor. Why does improving services to the poor matter?
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Green Jakarta not a utopia
Green Jakarta not a utopia Nirwono Joga Jakarta Jakarta is heading toward ecological suicide. Soil subsidence has reached a depth of 40 centimeters in North, West and Central Jakarta. Seawater intrusion has led to the structural corrosion of buildings and flyovers while the contamination of groundwater has encroached on some 14 kilometers of land around the National Monument (Monas) Square, or a third of the territory of the capital city of Jakarta.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
The fall of the Soeharto regime also saw economists lose their
The fall of the Soeharto regime also saw economists lose their traditional tools to analyze the economy. Under the centralized New Order system these were the causal relations between the creation of economic policy and interest groups. The newly appointed Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Boediono, once said economic policy-makers needed to be isolated from day-to-day politics (BIES, Dec. 2005). Now we have a much more confusing reality, which requires a new approach to economic analysis.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Environmental Outlook 2006
Environmental Outlook 2006 The problems of environment in the years to come E.G. Togu Manurung Bogor Indonesia is blessed with some of the most extensive and biologically diverse tropical forests in the world. But the tragedy is that Indonesia has one of the highest rates of tropical forest loss in the world. Minister of Forestry M.S. Kaban, in his many speeches at various events, repeatedly warns that Indonesia's forests are under serious threat.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Generous pay, pathetic performance
Generous pay, pathetic performance Oh the irony that has overwhelmed the country for the past few months. Government and state officials, apparently without any sense of crisis, have stuffed generous salary increases into their already bulging wallets. The performance of these happy, happy officials, however, is still eclipsed by their skyrocketing salaries. What performance, one may ask?
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, January 2, 2006
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, January 2, 2006 Exhibitions * Cartoon by Asian cartonists at Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang - The Japan Foundation, Summitmas I, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 61-62 South Jakarta (Tel. 5201266), from Jan. 11 to Jan. 27. Workshop at 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Jan. 13 * Italian Fashion Exhibition by Studio Galgano, Fifty Years of Italian Fashion, at Gedung Arsip Nasional (the National Archive Building), Jl. Gajah Mada 111, Central Jakarta (Tel. 6347744) until Jan.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
No solutions
No solutions to current issues yet From Media Indonesia Some problems are beyond our capacity to overcome, while others can still be handled within the existing capacity. Sadly, problems are frequently overestimated and our own potential to solve important economic issues thus overlooked. The government has failed to control fuel prices and raised them according to international rates. The private sector is incapable of managing buying/selling prices, standard wages and personnel affairs.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Beyond well enough
Beyond well enough Arya B. Gaduh Jakarta The economy did rather well in 2005. Estimates by the Asian Development Bank put its growth above that of the regional (Southeast Asian) average and its ASEAN-5 neighbors. Exports became one of the main sources of growth, contributing to around 80 percent of total growth in the first two quarters of 2005.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Timor Leste's past: Let it be or bare it all?
Timor Leste's past: Let it be or bare it all? John McBeth The Straits Times Asia News Network/Singapore It was five years ago. Sitting at the kitchen table in a small, nondescript house on Dili's sun-baked foreshore, the soon- to-be president of Timor Leste was talking about the future.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Removing exit tax
Removing exit tax I have a pensioner's visa and am actually a resident of Jimbaran, Bali. I am very keen to let President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono know that, as a retiree living here, I must pay departure tax (fiscal) every time we leave your country for family or medical reasons. Since we are not working here, are we not excluded from the obligation of paying fiscal? ALBERTO VAZQUEZ YARZA Jimbaran, Bali
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Sweet potatoes for Papuans
Sweet potatoes for Papuans From Kompas The delivery of sweet potatoes and cassava as a short-term solution to the hunger now prevailing in Yahukimo, Papua, is most appropriate. The tubers are one of the staples of Papuans, while in Java and other regions sweet potatoes are abundantly available. By the end of the New Order period (1998), Papua's food problem was overcome by sending tiwul (cassava-based food) and cassava flour, which received a cool response.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
2006 - Building for the future
2006 - Building for the future David O'Brien Jakarta Next year should mark a period of consolidation for the Indonesian economy. In the wake of the tough decision to reduce fuel subsidies and subsequent price increases, domestic demand is likely to remain somewhat weaker. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The economy was exceedingly dependent upon the consumer, with estimates of this sector driving 80 percent of economic growth.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
[b]
Police in dire need of wholesale changes or Chief Sutanto needs a few (hundred) good men Abdul Khalik Jakarta At least twice the National Police, under Gen. Sutanto leadership's, proved to the wider society they serve that they could do their jobs well if they wanted to. First, after less than six months at the helm as national police chief, Sutanto and his boys managed to trace and kill the wanted bombing mastermind Azahari bin Husin in Malang on Nov. 9. In contrast, under former chief Gen.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Leaders must be responsive, but not thin-skinned
Leaders must be responsive, but not thin-skinned Ardimas Sasdi Jakarta Referring to the diatribes launched by some of the nation's most senior leaders in response to criticism, The Jakarta Post rightly observed recently that it is not easy being a democrat. Leaders in a democracy, where the supreme power lies with the people, must be responsive and learn to accept sometimes harsh criticism by the people. Also, there is no place in a democracy for absolutism, which is more suited to an autocracy.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
The U.S. and Indonesia: Toward a strategic partnership
The U.S. and Indonesia: Toward a strategic partnership JP/7/USINDO Part 1 of 2 The U.S. and Indonesia: Toward a strategic partnership Eric G. John Washington D.C. My main subject is our developing strategic partnership with Indonesia. But let me start by talking a bit about the U.S. and Asia more generally to put our relationship with Indonesia in context. As you know, President Bush and Secretary Rice just went to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Korea in November.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
More on Kuta Beach
More on Kuta Beach As much as I also detest the litter that periodically plagues Kuta/Legian beaches, in response to the letter from Jolie E. Dorey (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 28) I can only say: "Sorry, Jolie, I believe you've got it all wrong, when putting most of the blame on Western tourists!". The unfortunate fact is that the seasonal combination of winds and tides leads to a near-daily dumping of consumer rubbish on Kuta/Legian beaches around and during the month of December.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Generous pay, pathetic performance
Generous pay, pathetic performance Oh the irony that has overwhelmed the country for the past few months. Government and state officials, apparently without any sense of crisis, have stuffed generous salary increases into their already bulging wallets. The performance of these happy, happy officials, however, is still eclipsed by their skyrocketing salaries. What performance, one may ask?
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Bank Indonesia -- Another regulatory failure
Bank Indonesia -- Another regulatory failure John Le Jakarta It has been five months since Bank Indonesia introduced regulation 7/14/PBI/2005, entitled, "Restrictions on Rupiah Transactions and Foreign Currency Lending by Banks", which aimed at restoring integrity and stability to the rupiah. Contrary to Bank Indonesia's intention, however, it has also been five months of rough riding for the rupiah in the foreign exchange market.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Corrupt immigration
Corrupt immigration As foreigners, we are required to drop by to the immigration office with great frequency. It's nice that all the fees are displayed openly on the wall, but the nightmare awaits just around the corner. We have never once managed to get our papers processed without some kind of extra charge, and these charges are rising quicker than the inflation rate. Every extension for a family of four costs at least Rp 3 million, and applying for an exit permit costs another Rp 1 million.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
A better economic outlook possible in the year ahead
A better economic outlook possible in the year ahead Umar Juoro Jakarta Eventually, the government decided to put a brake on fuel subsidy spending by raising fuel prices on average by 126 percent on Oct. 1. As a consequence, inflation in that month rose to 8.7 percent, much higher than anybody expected. By the end of 2005, inflation is expected to be around 18 percent as firms make price adjustments in line with higher prices for energy, transportation, credit, wages and intermediate goods.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia in 2006: The foreign policy challenge.
Indonesia in 2006: The foreign policy challenge. Michael Vatikiotis Singapore The past year has seen Indonesia weather many storms. There cannot be many countries in the world forced to deal with man- made and natural disasters simultaneously. For Indonesia's newly elected government there was the tsunami and a succession of terrorist acts to recover from.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Weaker trade prospects for 2006: Is oil to be blamed?
Weaker trade prospects for 2006: Is oil to be blamed? Puspa Delima Amri Jakarta Reading the performance of the Indonesian economy this year can be compared to a parent's reaction when the children bring home a fantastic mid-year report card: A mixture of pride, optimism and also anxiety. Will the brilliant performance be sustainable throughout the year?
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Illegal logging: Where do we go from here?
Illegal logging: Where do we go from here? Illegal logging sees no slowing down Stevie Emilia The Jakarta Post/Jakarta When the world's biggest timber smuggling operation from Papua to China was exposed this year, it marked a turning point in the fight against illegal logging in the country.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian's risk perception towards terrorist's bomb attack
Indonesian's risk perception towards terrorist's bomb attack JP/6/WIWAN Indonesian's risk perception towards terrorist's bomb attack Antonius Wiwan Koban Jakarta "Serious security threats from terrorists to all Americans & Westerners in Indonesia.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Sixty years after independence, Indonesia is still struggling to
Sixty years after independence, Indonesia is still struggling to provide primary and secondary educations for its school-age children, lagging far behind other neighboring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. According to Ministry of Education figures from 2004, the number of elementary school dropouts reached 650,000, and more than 500,000 others did not continue on to secondary education.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Garin says govt leaves artistes in cold
Garin says govt leaves artistes in cold JP/20/GARIN Garin: Govt leaves artistes out in cold The Jakarta Post Jakarta Irked by the government's lack of attention toward culture and the arts, noted filmmaker Garin Nugroho has lambasted the country's leaders by labeling them as culture-blind people who have never acquired a taste for even the simplest of the refined arts.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Monday, January 2, 2006
TV Program: Monday, January 2, 2006 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Children Drama 8:30 Music: Asyik Asyik 9:30 Cultural Show 10:00 Talk Show 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 1:30 Quiz 2:00 Channel Dangdut 3:00 English News Service 3:30 Documentary 4:30 Documentary 5:30 Info.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Careful policy mix is critical now
Careful policy mix is critical now Kahlil Rowter Jakarta Without doubt 2005 was a turbulent year. The rupiah and gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell substantially while inflation and interest rates rose dramatically. Late policy responses caused the crisis to spread from microeconomic to macroeconomics. Therefore policy adjustments caused a shock to the system. The situation has since stabilized, and confidence in economic management has resurfaced.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta's environment: Lessons from abroad
Jakarta's environment: Lessons from abroad Edward McMillan Jakarta Can you imagine paying a "congestion charge" every time you drive your car into the city centre? How about growing your own vegetables? Or using solar energy to heat your tap-water? How does paying for several dozen trees to be planted each year sound to you?
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/yearend/PAPUA
JP/yearend/PAPUA Special autonomy implementation in Papua treading water A'an Suryana The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Four years after special autonomy legislation came into effect in Papua, it has been called a failure for not living up to the expectations of the people. Special autonomy has not improved the lives of Papuans, many of whom live in poverty in spite of the funds channeled to regional administrations for the autonomy drive, which total between Rp 1.3 trillion and Rp 1.5 trillion a year.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's economic challenges
Indonesia's economic challenges Stephen Schwartz Jakarta Judging by the stock and foreign exchange markets over the past few weeks, the coming of the New Year and a recent cabinet reshuffle have brought fresh hope to Indonesian market-watchers that macroeconomic stability will endure, and that economic growth will continue to rise toward its enormous potential.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
2005: A year of no clean air to breath
2005: A year of no clean air to breath Tb. Arie Rukmantara The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesians in many parts of the country were still unable to enjoy clean air this year due to chronic pollution.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Hunger in Yahukimo
Hunger in Yahukimo From Kompas After the previous cases of hunger and malnutrition in West and East Nusa Tenggara, there have been reports that at least 50 people have died of hunger and 112 others are suffering from famine-related diseases in Yahukimo regency, Papua. This is tragic because the deaths of so many people were due to hunger rather than ailments such as malaria, which can still be found in this easternmost province.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/ /tni
JP/ /tni War on terror benefits only TNI, or the nation? Tiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite the precious little progress the Indonesian Military (TNI) has achieved in the area of internal reform, it has does have something to be proud this year: the lifting of the arms embargo by the United States. The U.S. decision last November was linked to George W. Bush's global war on terror.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Attracting foreign investment requires substance in policy reform
Attracting foreign investment requires substance in policy reform Dan Kingsley Jakarta The Indonesian economy, following the adoption of a tightening monetary stance by Bank Indonesia in mid-August and strengthening inflation due to the recent fuel price increase, has shown declining economic growth in the last half of 2005.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Governing through governance: SBY delivering his promises.
Governing through governance: SBY delivering his promises. HS Dillon Jakarta The business sector has repeatedly reminded the President that corruption in the government is inhibiting investment, while civil society has been pressuring him to go after the wrongdoers wholeheartedly. In times such as these, we find him calling for a culture of excellence. How can one reconcile these calls? Lest one be accused of drawing too hasty a conclusion, let us try to look at the facts.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
The Indonesian economy in 2006
The Indonesian economy in 2006 Ross H. McLeod Canberra Indonesia's economic performance next year is likely to be similar to that in 2005. Output growth -- the key determinant of changes in individuals' incomes -- should remain around 5.5-6 percent per annum. Inflation is likely to decline steadily, with significant reductions in the year-on-year rate in March and October as the impact of the 2005 fuel price increases disappears.
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Where to put your money in 2006
Where to put your money in 2006 Frank van Lerven Jakarta It is never easy and straightforward to answer the question "where to put your money?". Certainly right now, with the year 2005 ending and 2006 around the corner, it is a very interesting question as regards the Indonesian financial markets! Will the bull run that the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) has enjoyed for an unprecedented 3-1/2 year period come to a halt?
Sat, 31 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
2006 as the year of economic consolidation
2006 as the year of economic consolidation David E. Sumual Jakarta Next year's economic difficulties are already becoming apparent. Early indications of the Indonesian economy losing its momentum are seen in slower-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the last two quarters as exports eased and investor appetite diminished. The leading economic indicators, which typically move around six to 12 months ahead, also indicated the same thing.